What we are thankful for at Minneapolis Running 2016

Thanksgiving allows us an opportunity to pause and reflect on our hectic and hurried lives. To think about the things we are most thankful for in life, and appreciate the ways our lives are blessed. At Minneapolis Running, several of our writers spent time thinking about the things in which they are most thankful. Read below as we share a glimpse into our lives, and highlight some of the things we are most thankful for this holiday season.

2016 has been a year with much to be thankful for in our family. My adaptability has been truly pushed to its limits when our twin daughters were born in June. I am incredibly grateful for how easy it has been (relatively speaking of course), and how well our older son has adapted to the change. I’m thankful for the days I am able to get out for a run. I’ve never appreciated running for the sake of running! I am also thankful that the Cubs finally won the World Series! It might seem cliche, but summers as a child were spent following the Cubs; my grandparents would take me to games, and it was a huge part of our relationship. In a way, it feels like all of that emotional investment has finally paid off. I’m looking forward to 2017, and trying to cut down on my half marathon PR.

In the last short 12 months, I have moved across the country, changed jobs (and careers) twice, celebrated my first wedding anniversary, adopted a dog, and somehow found the time to run two marathons and qualify for the Boston Marathon for the very first time. 2016 has been a humbling year to say the least! I am extremely thankful for my husband and the incredible friendships and support system that we have built in our new home in Portland, Oregon. I am thankful and grateful for the opportunities to work on some of the most fun and rewarding writing and running projects with Minneapolis Running, the Oiselle Team, and Picky Bars. Most of all, I am thankful for all of you, our readers and running communities near and far! This year has taught me a lot about the importance of community; I would not be where I am today without my running family – thank you!

November? Already? It always amazes me how fast the end of the year seems to approach. It’s not something I want to set a PR in! This past year has shown me a lot, and I have learned just as much about running as I have about myself. I am so thankful for what running has brought to my life, ranging from everyday stress relief to adventures along the Mississippi and as far away as Mammoth Lakes. I was fortunate enough that my hard work lead to personal bests across the board, ranging from the mile (first sub-5:00 mile!) to the marathon. I am so thankful for an amazing support network of family and friends, they may not always “get it,” but they are always supportive. The importance of community has never been more clear to me, the Minneapolis Running and Mill City Running communities have provided me great friends with whom to share my experiences and training partners to push me to faster times. Thank you all!

There are so many things I’m thankful for about running. This sport has brought me to a lot of different places and afforded me many opportunities I wouldn’t have had otherwise, but if I had to name just one thing, it would be the people I’ve met. Running people are crazy, but in that “who doesn’t run twenty miles before most of the city rolls out of bed on Saturday morning” kind of way. They’re quick to jump in to help out and to lend a listening ear for miles on end, and they’re just as quick to sign up for a random race without giving it a second thought. I’ve gotten to know some really interesting people who have become close friends, and we would have never met if not for awkward introductions in the middle of a group run.

The past year has been an interesting journey, full of false starts and resetting expectations. After two years of heavy racing and pushing for big goals, I am actually thankful that 2016 was dogged with injuries and regular trips to the physical therapist. It has meant several things: truly appreciating the miles which I was able to get in, avoiding the pressure of big and scary goal races in favor of rebuilding physically and running a few races for fun, and finding the joy in racking up the road and off-road biking miles in support of my running. Instead of chasing yet another marathon PR this year, I ran an adult mile PR and got to enjoy watching my ever-older young son do a little running of his own. Time to wrap up the running year with my local Turkey Trot, and look forward to a winter of base-building and exploring, ever thankful for the wonderful place I am fortunate enough to call home!

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What are you Thankful For?

We are so grateful for your support, and thank you for continuing to read our site. As you reflect on this past year, what are the things in your life that you have gratitude for and appreciate?

Krysta is an East Coast turned Midwest transplant currently living in Portland, OR. She runs and trains with the Portland-based Rose City Track Club and is passionate about the communities running creates. Her big, audacious goal is to run a sub-3:00 marathon. More of her writing can be found at ktanwrites.com

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